Ramon Humber talking to Saints about returning

Posted by Josh Alper on February 27, 2014, 6:52 AM EDT

AP

The Saints haven’t had much luck in getting on the same page as tight end Jimmy Graham as they discuss contracts with the pending free agent, but they aren’t spending all their time on trying to lock things down on that front.

There are several other free agents-to-be in New Orleans this year and the Saints have been talking to a bunch of them about return engagements. We’ve heard about conversations with tackle Zach Strief, linebacker Parys Haralson, wide receiver Robert Meachem and safety Rafael Bush in recent days and now linebacker Ramon Humber can be added to the list.

Ramon Antonio Vargas of the Baton Rouge Advocatereports that the team has approached Humber about staying with the team for a third season as part of their work ahead of the March 11 start of free agency. Humber was a core special teamer for the Saints last season, tying for third on the team in special teams tackles and recovering a pair of onside kicks.

With a cap higher than anticipated, the Saints may be able to retain more players from last season than they might have expected. The bigger cap doesn’t figure to make things much easier with Graham, which likely means a franchise tag and ensuing battle over his position.